Errands Plus

Could you benefit from Freelancing?

2012-01-05T14:08:00.000Z

The year 2011 has played host to some of the biggest events in UK history. 2011 will forever be remembered as the year of the Royal Wedding, the last ever Harry Potter film, and the year that Mr Darcy finally won an Oscar. But some events, although not quite so well known, are still important for our country and deserve a bit of recognition. We bring you, The National Freelancers Day!

Last year in November, The National Freelancers Day was celebrated for the third consecutive year. Set up by PCG, the freelancers’ trade association, the day is aimed at gaining wider recognition for the contribution that freelancers make to the UK economy. This day is particularly important in the light of recent studies that have shown a 12% increase in the amount of people choosing to work freelance.

Freelancing covers most sectors and suits a wide range of workers, from those self-employed to those who work with contracts of varying lengths. There is no typical freelancer but all are needed and indispensible to UK businesses. Freelancing is very important to the economy because sometimes businesses need resources that are more flexible than those that can be acquired under regular ‘terms of employment’.

Here at Errands Plus our freelancers are vital in the working of our business. They come from all backgrounds and age groups and share a common trait – the passion to help fulfill tasks! Ever smiling, they are hard workers who will brave unfavorable weather to provide excellent service. There is usually a runner available at short notice or willing to put in extra hours to help fulfill our promise to clients. We are proud of this lot and count it a privilege to be working with such a dedicated team.

The 2011 Freelancers Day was a huge success, with the Prime Minister David Cameron endorsing the day. For more information about freelancing and engaging freelancers, visit http://www.nationalfreelancersday.org.uk/.

For more information about joining our team as a freelance field operative, please visit http://www.errandsplus.co.uk/

Time for Tea

2011-12-01T15:51:00.001Z

England is famous for a lot of things - The Queen, Big Ben, Harry Potter, David Beckham - the list goes on. We’re stereotyped as being stern monarchists with bad teeth. But the one thing that we are known for the world over is our love for a good cup of tea. Like an Irishman and his Guinness, any self-respecting English person knows: when in doubt, put the kettle on.

Here at Errands Plus, a common request we receive is to pick up items from Fortnum and Mason – the quintessential English store in Piccadilly & experts on our beloved drink. It seems that the British obsession with a good cuppa shows no signs of slowing down, so here are a few little known facts on our favourite beverage.

Forget laughter, tea is the best medicine

Tea is good for your health. Studies from around the world have found that tea is nutritious, and according to the National Tea Council, drinking four cups a day could improve your health. It’s got all sorts of benefits from keeping your heart healthy to making your teeth stronger.

Variety is the spice of life

There are around 1,500 varieties of tea. You’ve probably heard of the well-known flavours of green, peppermint and nettle, but did you know that you could be drinking a cup of gummy bear flavoured tea? Or even cookies and cream? With the festive season in full swing, lots of tea specialists are selling festive flavoured ones too - Christmas in a mug!

Any excuse for a break

The humble tea break – an essential part of the day in every office – has been with us for around 300 years. It started when workers used to start their days before the sun came up, and were allowed a food and tea break in the morning as their breakfast.

A good cup of TLC

We all know that a good cup of tea is soothing, but some teas have actually been proven to calm stress and reduce anxiety levels. Teas such as camomile and lavender are filled with goodness that reduce nerve levels and keep you relaxed.

So there you have it – every time you drink a cup of tea you’re relaxing, being healthy and taking part in a 300-year-old tradition. The noise of a boiling kettle has never sounded so good…

For more information about errands in Piccadilly, Central London, call us on 020 7476 8141 or visit our website at http://www.errandsplus.co.uk

The Wharf Newspaper (6th Jan., 2011)

2011-01-10T11:45:00.009Z

Errands firm finds gap in the convenience market

By Kay Lockett on January 10, 2011 10:33 AM |

Ever wished you could be in two places at the same time? Need to pick up the dry-cleaning or get a key cut?
Oga Obianyor started her company two years ago with the aim of capitalising on busy workers who find themselves without the time to do such things themselves.

Based at the Waterfront Studios Business Centre in Victoria Docks, Errands Plus provides services to individuals and businesses.
The firm's most popular errands include picking up the dry-cleaning, waiting at home for workmen, picking up reserved items from shops, submitting passport applications and collecting visas. Very often they are asked to cut spare keys, do grocery shopping and run errands for sick relatives too.
However, there's no specific range of services and the company is happy to tackle any task.
Ms Obianyor said: "A lot of the time we are called upon at the last minute to save the day.

"Our service is perfect for those unplanned events. However a good number of people also know that it's simpler and more rewarding for them to not try to do everything by themselves, and they rely on us.
"We have run all kinds of errands. Over the summer, we stood in the long queue at the Excel centre for an X-Factor hopeful who had to fly in from the USA on the day of the auditions.
"We were there from 5.30am in the pouring rain and cold until she showed up at around 1pm.
"For all those hours, the runner mucked in like one of the contestants and made friends and even rehearsed with others while in the queue. They were shocked to later find that she was not even a contestant."
Ms Obianyor set up Errands Plus Ltd shortly after completing a masters degree in sustainability at University College, London.
She said: "I was fresh out of school, excited and really driven and even though we were in the middle of a recession, I knew it was the perfect time to launch my vision.
"I had been researching the concept of errand running and lifestyle management for a few years by this time, and through market research observed a gap in the London market that only our business model could fill. Other companies provide a wide range of concierge and lifestyle services, but we simply run errands.
"It was frustrating to find that the companies who provided such services usually expected people to sign up to long contracts or pay joining and membership fees.
"It was then I decided to develop a business model for running errands in a smart and uncomplicated way. People can use our service whenever time is short, on a pay-as-you-go basis with no joining, membership or hourly fees.
"My passion for organising things, running errands and helping busy people to save time was developed when I worked as an executive assistant to the MD of an international bank. My role covered PR, events, travel logistics and diary management for the bank's board members and senior management staff.
"It was such a high pressure role that in a typical day I could co-ordinate meetings, liaise with officials from three different countries, plan a birthday party, source rare gift items and make impromptu speeches."
Ms Obianyor says that clients call upon her services when they find they cannot be in two places at once. She said she made sure that delegating errands was easy and convenient through the company's website, which gives instant quotes for errands and allows for secure payments.
She said: "A client called us to buy a car seat and take it to the hospital for taking the new baby home with them. We also got a call to go take trash bags outside for the bin men because the client could not return home on time to do it himself.
"Over Halloween we had a few requests from Massachusetts, USA and Canada for the special edition Cadbury Screme Eggs because they did not have them over there.
"The USA errands are usually very interesting - last Christmas a prestigious US law firm asked that we distribute umbrellas as souvenirs to its UK clients around EC1, but insisted that the distribution must happen on a very rainy day."

Go to errandsplus.co.uk

Office De-clutter: 5 tips for the busy worker

2010-11-16T19:38:00.001Z

At Errandsplus we’re called out from time to time to help de-clutter work spaces; a task which we particularly enjoy doing by the way. Usually, all that’s required is a little bit of our planning and organisational genius and the work is done in no time at all...and then the cycle is repeated because for many, work space clutter is a real and constant issue. People are happy to dump receipts, bills, bank statements, letters etc in their work spaces, just to keep the living area free and conducive for relaxation.

Our tips below should help you enjoy a better organised and better functioning work space:

1. Set aside a couple of minutes every day just before the close of work, to chuck away useless pieces of paper, put away pens, markers and other stationery into their holders and to give your space a quick tidy.

2. Get a brightly coloured medium sized box for dumping the usual suspects like shopping receipts which easily form a pile (I use an inexpensive red box from Ikea) and make time whenever suitable to file them away.

3. Avoid bringing in items that have no use in your work space e.g. items of clothing and cutlery, although the odd coffee mug should pose no problem. These have a way of taking up usable space.

4. Personalise your work space to suit your preferences in design and colour; importantly invest in the right furniture for your height, body size and even type of work.

5. Keep items you use daily within easy reach, and store away spares and bulks.

For more information about the best ways to keep your work space fully functional, visit http://www.errandsplus.co.uk/ or ring 02074768141, where our friendly staff are waiting.

Errand Runners - They make a difference!

2010-11-04T14:15:00.006Z

Every day, Errands Plus’ Runners are out in different parts of London and the UK, running all kinds of errands, helping people, and doing the most amazing things in the community. Each errand is unique – as unique as each of our clients. The work we do is not just about buying grocery or picking up dry-cleaning – it’s more about the hours saved in someone’s life.

The extra hours can be turned into a special time with a brother or sister, or that extra time needed to bond with a friend. It may also be time just for you, spent doing absolutely nothing. It’s invaluable time.

In the words of one of our errand runners, below is a wonderful example of how our work goes beyond errand running. This is about making a positive impact in a family’s situation and the invaluable return one client got by using Errands Plus.

I was asked to run errands for a woman whose mother was receiving treatment for cancer in Upminster. She worked shifts at the London Underground and found it difficult at times to fulfil her rota duties and be by her mum’s side at the same time. She asked me to buy fresh fruits and re-stock her food cupboard. She also requested for me to ensure she stays snug and warm and asked for updates following each visit which I gave promptly. By my 3^rd visit I knew I was definitely making a difference because her mum had a big smile waiting for me. She was looking forward daily to my visits and involved me in other personal errands like helping to apply for her freedom pass. I feel quite fulfilled that I am able to make some sort of difference in someone else’s life.

- C.B.

For more information about contracting an errand runner through Errands Plus please call 02074768141 or visit http://www.errandsplus.co.uk/

Banking Blues...

2010-11-02T13:56:00.001Z

If you run your own small business you probably know that Mondays are not the best days to do any kind of banking errand; not in London at least. The morning queues are endless, move at snail-pace, and the cashiers seem slower than usual. From experience, a bank errand on a Monday morning takes about six to ten times longer than on other days of the week.

To save time, you should seriously consider running bank errands on other days of the week and at quieter times, say just before the bank’s closing time. Alternatively, why not delegate your bank errands to a professional errand runner? An errand runner takes away the hassle of standing in long queues and helps you save time for more pressing matters.

For more information about engaging the services of an errand runner, please call 02074768141 or visit http://www.errandsplus.co.uk/

Why Hire an Errand Runner?

2010-10-29T18:59:00.002+01:00

More and more people are realising that hiring a professional errand runner can be instrumental in achieving a balanced work life. This rings true within corporations as well, where managers are cashing in on the benefits of outsourcing non-executive jobs. Anyone who engages an errand runner can expect huge savings in time and money, not to mention a highly personalised service.

See how hiring an errand runner may benefit you at http://www.errandsplus.co.uk/ or call 02074768141 to speak to one of our friendly staff.